Back to the Start at the San Quentin Day of Peace 2026

On July 25th, San Quentin Rehabilitation Center held its annual Day of Peace, an all-day event highlighting unity and rehabilitative programming. The first Day of Peace originated after a race riot took place at San Quentin in 2006. In response, a group of inmates petitioned the administration to create the Day of Peace. Each year, attendees wear white T-shirts to symbolize unity among residents. 

Day of Peace 2026 brought many attractions to San Quentin’s yard including a car show, a dance performance by the San Quentin Aztec dance group, and musical performances by outside artists. A local basketball organization attended and hosted scrimmages with residents.

In addition, the yard was covered with tables where both residents and free people could learn more about the rehabilitative programs that San Quentin has to offer. These programs included The Beat Within, a writing and art publication, the 1000 Mile Club, a run club, and the San Quentin News. A number of art programs put their artworks on display for visitors and residents to admire.

Back to the Start (BTTS) hosted a table as well, staffed by our incarcerated co-leads and facilitators, as well as our summer interns. BTTS spent the day informing residents of our narrative writing program as well as how we use our participants’ stories to advocate for investment in upstream development and growth.

“I learned about a lot of inspiring programs that San Quentin residents have either already piloted or are working to launch,” said Sydni Stewart, a BTTS intern who attended the event. “One initiative that stood out to me was an effort by an incarcerated resident to bring a farmers market to San Quentin so that residents could have access to fresh produce. I was especially impressed by the amount of advocacy and community-building work that incarcerated people take on, despite having limited resources. Their efforts and leadership are not often highlighted, so it was meaningful to learn about the passion they bring to their projects and the impact they continue to make within their community,” Stewart added.

The event’s focus on rehabilitative programming reflects the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s shift to the California Model, an incarceration model meant to  focus more on rehabilitation than punishment. However, the longstanding event proves that San Quentin residents were committed to solidarity and rehabilitation even before the California Model was implemented.

“I had an amazing time talking to the residents at San Quentin,” said Stewart. “For me, the biggest value was in hearing all of their different stories and the reflections they've had on their own lives, childhoods, and their desire to create change on the outside so that fewer people end up in the position they did.”